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Level 1 (Remember) and Level 2 (Understanding) are superficial. This is how most students go about studying. If you want to reach higher levels in Bloom’s Taxonomy, do the following:

  1. Preview the day’s material with questions
    1. Look at the syllabus and learning outcomes and take note of the objectives.
    2. Skim through the textbook and lecture notes for the day’s reading. Look at main topics and diagrams.
    3. Ask yourself what you already know about the topic(s).
    4. Ask yourself what you hope to learn.
    5. Generate questions. These should be “why?”, “how?”, and “what if?” questions.
    6. Talk through the material and verbalize your thoughts in order to internalize the material.
    7. Try to solve example problems or assigned problems already. Pay attention to how the questions are being asked.
  2. Armed with all of your generated questions, read through the material
    1. Try to answer the questions you have generated.
    2. Write everything by hand. Don’t use your computer.
    3. Don’t write anything verbatim. Use your own words.
    4. Build as you read by asking how paragraphs and sections relate to prior paragraphs and sections.
    5. Write down important ideas and concepts after each intense study session (your study session might be 30 mins, 60 mins, or 90 mins)
  3. Review your notes
    1. Fill in any gaps in your knowledge.
    2. Look up past papers, exams, and question banks for clarity.
    3. Try to create chunks.
    4. Ask new questions.
    5. Test yourself: if you’re wrong, look at the answer but NOT at the solution. Focus on finding your mistake without using the solution. If you’re right, compare your solution to the one given.
    6. Anything that is still unclear should be looked up using other resources, and you should reach out to the course instructor for more help/resources.
    7. Everything that is clear and understood should go onto a flashcard in RemNote.
  4. After receiving your exam score, analyze your performance
    1. Don’t just look at the score and move on. Create a goal to improve future learning.